In this urgent and unfiltered episode, Rich and Kevin lay out the real story behind the government shutdown—and why it’s just the tip of the iceberg. From TSA agents working without pay to the Supreme Court quietly gutting voting rights behind the scenes, the guys expose the coordinated strategy unfolding in plain sight.

They break down the Louisiana redistricting case that could eliminate nearly a third of Black congressional seats, the long game Republicans have been playing for decades, and the Democratic Party’s repeated failure to wield power when it matters most. It’s not just a political episode—it’s a call to arms.

📍 (07:00) — Shutdown Theater & Real-Life Chaos
They break down how government workers, service members, and TSA agents are navigating unpaid labor—and why this shutdown is less about budgets and more about distraction.

📍 (13:17) — Supreme Court’s Sneak Attack on Voting Rights
The crew unpacks the terrifying potential of Louisiana v. Callais, a case that could gut Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and erase decades of Black and Latino political representation.

📍 (24:52) — Checkers vs. Chess: Democrats Keep Losing the Long Game
Kevin and Rich reflect on how the right has coordinated for decades—through courts, legislatures, and billionaires—while the left has played defense and vibes.

📍 (44:04) — If We Win, We Can’t Waste It
They outline a bold and unapologetic roadmap for what Democrats should do with power, including passing federal voting protections, banning gerrymandering, and reforming the Supreme Court.

📍 (58:03) — D’Angelo, Joe Biden, and Matching Energy
From the brilliance of D’Angelo’s Voodoo to Biden’s underappreciated judicial appointments, the episode closes with some unexpected flowers—and one clear reminder to stay focused on the long game.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award
This week’s Mamba Mentality Award goes to the everyday workers still showing up without pay—TSA agents, military service members, federal employees—who keep the country running despite Washington’s chaos.

Special recognition also goes to President Joe Biden, who matched energy in the judicial arena and reshaped the courts while no one was paying attention.

In this week’s episode, Rich and Kevin tackle the big headlines and deeper implications behind the looming federal government shutdown and what it means for Georgians. They break down how health care subsidies hang in the balance, why Senator Jon Ossoff is more vulnerable than people realize, and how Republicans are quietly playing the long game. Beyond the Beltway drama, the duo zooms out to talk about the bigger picture for Democrats in the South—the organizing challenges, the messaging missteps, and the urgent need for smarter strategy if real power is ever going to be built below the Mason-Dixon.

📍 (01:36) — Federal Shutdown & the Southern Ripple Effect
Rich and Kevin break down what’s at stake if Congress doesn’t fund the government—including the real-world consequences for working-class Southerners and why it’s not just a DC problem.

📍 (08:22) — Ossoff's Seat Ain’t Safe
They sound the alarm on Senator Jon Ossoff’s upcoming re-election, explaining why Democrats shouldn’t assume he’s safe—and how underestimating the GOP’s strategy could backfire.

📍 (14:57) — Health Care Subsidies on the Chopping Block
The crew discusses how federal subsidies keep health insurance affordable for thousands in Georgia—and how the shutdown could jeopardize access just as enrollment ramps up.

📍 (21:44) — Georgia’s Not Blue, It’s Just Loud
Rich and Kevin dissect the myth of Georgia’s “purple” status and why national Democrats need to stop campaigning like they’ve already won the state. Hint: They haven’t.

📍 (30:12) — Playing Chess, Not Checkers: Organize or Fade
The episode wraps with a hard truth: Republicans are playing the long game with local and judicial power, while Dems still treat the South like a one-night stand. That has to change.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award
This week’s Mamba Mentality Award goes to the frontline organizers in the South who keep showing up, even when the cameras are off and the budgets are tight. And to the voters who stay informed, engaged, and involved—because y’all are the ones holding this democracy together while Congress plays games.

In a long-overdue full-circle moment, the boys of Maroon Bison welcome their third musketeer—producer Stewart Cornelius—from behind the scenes to behind the mic. What follows is an honest, hilarious, and deeply personal conversation about brotherhood, HBCUs, resilience, and showing up for each other as Black men.

The crew takes listeners through their Morehouse journeys, their academic and financial hurdles, the identity-building power of HBCU culture, and what it means to be “the only one” in corporate spaces. If you’ve ever had to fight for your education, take the long way to success, or been kept afloat by mentors who saw something in you—you’ll feel this one.

📍 (04:07) — Suit & Socks: How Rich Became a Freshman Legend at Morehouse
Stew recalls his first encounter with Big Rich during orientation—chewing out freshmen for wearing white socks with suits—and how those intense traditions built a lifelong brotherhood.

📍 (10:56) — Morehouse, Mentors & Magical Negroes: How We Got Here
From Maryland and New York to the AUC, the trio recounts how they ended up at Morehouse, and the unexpected people (including a school counselor) who pushed them toward purpose.

📍 (18:59) — Training to Be the Only One
Kevin and Stew share stories of being the lone Black man—or the lone straight Black man—in grad school, media, and corporate jobs, and how HBCUs trained them to walk into rooms with purpose, even when they were alone.

📍 (26:41) — Sears, Schedules & Struggle: How We Made It Work
From working at Sears and cleaning hotels to juggling internships and long commutes, they break down the unglamorous grind behind their college years—and why Gen Z needs to toughen up.

📍 (34:36) — Give Back, Then Pass It On
Whether it’s paying tuition gaps, mentoring younger students, or just showing up on campus, the guys reflect on the cycle of care within the HBCU community and why they’re committed to keeping it going for the next generation.

🏆 Mamba Mentality Award
This week’s Mamba Mentality Award goes to the teachers who saw our potential before we saw it ourselves—those who gave hard advice, opened hidden doors, and helped plant the seeds that made this episode possible.

And shoutout to Black men everywhere who carry the weight, show up for each other, and keep pushing—even when no one sees the grind. This one’s for you.